...In Index, Races

elementals

elementals are a race where not a lot is known. to the average onlooker, and indeed to you or i, they seem to just appear sometimes. they don't share their history with other races, being very secretive and self-contained in their ways. it seems like they act as the hands of the gods in a way, taking care of the world more effectively than most others have the ability to do, though they do enjoy sharing their hobbies and caretaking techniques with others. lighten the workload a bit, right?

i. history

to be added

ii. culture

• family structure: since elementals are extensions of the gods and the planet itself, elementals consider each other both family and extended parts of one whole. they have a "i am one, yet many" sort of mindset.
• languages commonly spoken: technically, elementals just speak and the speech is interpreted in whatever language the listener is most accustomed to.
• art: elementals rarely partake in artistic puruits.
• sexuality and gender: similar to dwarves, elementals generally have a very label-free and fluid view of sexuality and gender, with most only taking on new terms or labels for themselves after spending time in mortal settlements.
• values: elementals care more about helping and improving the lives of those around them over all else. they take a carefree, back-seat sort of stance to everyday life on teres, handling the aspects of it that mortals struggle solving on their own... then dissipating when no longer needed. some like to stay around though!
• religion: it's a bit complicated, being that they are technically demigods in their own right...
• traditions: elementals can choose to participate in the traditions of any culture they take part in, but it's generally understood by everyone that elementals enjoy observing mortal life rather than take active part in it.
• death rites: elementals cannot permanently die, so they don't have an particular death rites. the most they have is saying goodbye to their neighbours before returning to the core of the planet.

iii. biology

• notable characteristics: elementals have perhaps the most varied appearances within one race. the colours of their skin match what element they are born from, though the saturation and tone vary from person to person. they usually have scales along their back, arms, legs, and around the nape of their neck; these scales are very light and soft though, almost skin-like in their own right. horns and tails are common, though not everyone has them. also important to note, elementals do not have organs. it's hard to describe their anatomy, but they're comparable to a person shaped shell with a vapor inside... but the shell is fleshy and the vapor is pure magical energy. if a part is severed, it can be re-attached very easily, if not grown back. because of this though, they can alter their form with ease.
• diet: they don't need to eat to live, so it's more of a recreational bonding activity. they can digest anything, since they're just pure energy inside.
• preferred climate: elementals have spread out all over the world, but fare better in colder areas than hot ones for sure.
• sex: elementals are naturally sexless, but can choose to shapeshift if they like.
• reproduction: elementals cannot reproduce, as they aren't technically born—they are magic energy given form and will through repeated use of elemental magic in the same area. for example, in a cold town, fire magic would be used constantly to keep people warm. from that constant use of fire magic, a fire elemental would spawn, as evidently, fire is needed there.

iv. trivia

• the different appearances have given way to elementals being given other names, such as orc, oni, ogre, goliath... though there's much debate on what constitutes them being called which, it's mostly just splitting hairs.

v. gallery

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